I know I have mentioned this before, but I have some of my best customer conversations when I am wrapping their gifts. Something about time standing still and folks feeling comfortable asking me questions, it is always a lovely exchange of words, thoughts, ideas. The other day a stylish woman from Palm Beach asked me what I was reading and watching.

I just started reading the Bunny Mellon book. When we first opened the Market shop, now close to 20 years ago, the Slatkins created a candle in her honor that we sold. We also sold a little book about her ideas on gardening. Thus began my Bunny love. The read is fascinating and at times sad. Having it all materially does not bring happiness, which is a prevailing theme in this book. That aside, the woman lived a wildly fascinating life. Also on my nightstand is the November issue of Town & Country which I have loved since I was a kid. Writer/wine lover Jay McInerney extols on the awesomeness of Washington State wines, which makes me so happy, as it is so true. And lastly, I am counting the minutes until the Joan Didion documentary on Netflix comes out, which is tomorrow, Friday, btw. She intrigues me. I love reading, watching, learning about folks who have lived a life well. The Year of Magical Thinking is one of my favorite books. As for other things we enjoy watching, you must know how much I love to laugh. I need it, much like air. It is so good for the soul, the mind, the body. Will & Grace, Saturday Night Live and Modern Family top the list of shows that make me cry laughing. Much like life, I like the mix of it all. The high, the low. In my mind, it is what makes it interesting…

Each word of the book is so lovingly spoken and your voice exudes such warmth and kindness. You are so genuine with your readers. And so interested in teaching them how to love… Love art…. Love nature… Love small things… Love friends… Love family… And love life.

— Haley from New York

Ted’s ‘Style & Simplicity’ is absolutely Lovely (with a capital L)! It’s also charming, fun to read, and full of wonderful advice.

— Newell Turner, Editor in Chief at House Beautiful

Ted Kennedy Watson has a most refined sense of aesthetics…and he shares some of his best secrets, for which I am so grateful!

— Lisa Birnbach, author of The Official Preppy Handbook

Ted, and his namesake fine good emporiums Watson Kennedy are legendary in this town. What he does brilliantly is quality over trend, substance over vapid style.

— Kaye Wellman, author Eat, Shop, Seattle

If you’ve ever wanted to walk through a stylized photo in a magazine this shop is a phenomenal fix for that as the merchandising is crazy delicious to feast your eyes upon.

— Uncle Beefy at thebedlamofbeefy.com

I feel like a kid in a candy shop every time I walk in the door.

— Apartment Therapy

I ordered ‘Style & Simplicity’ and it was delivered to my home in Hermanus, South Africa. What a delightful book and inspiration!

— Marlien on Facebook

The Seattle tastemaker behind Watson Kennedy: a personally curated store with the absolute best gifts, treasures, home goods, and hand-selected music.

— Town & Country

#genius #book @watsonkennedy #brilliant #perfect #gift

— Howard Slatkin on Instagram

Truly a visual feast for the eyes and palate.Thank you for sharing your abundance of “everything good”.We customers are transported to shopping heaven while in your store(s) and website.

— Blog reader Kris

We’ve long been fans of Seattle retailer Ted Kennedy Watson and his first title certainly lives up to it’s stylish name. The lavish A to Z guide is bursting with tips on how to create a cozy, chic and inviting home.